Indian president calls for open source in defense

In another public-sector boost to open-source software, Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam called for his country's military to use such nonproprietary technology to ward off cybersecurity threats.

"Software maintenance and software upgrade is an important issue for defense," Kalam said at a meeting of Indian Navy?s Weapons and Electronic System Engineering Establishment in New Delhi last week.

Without naming any proprietary software products, the president asked defense engineers to develop and implement on open platforms. "Even though the required software for the equipment could be developed by the private industry, it is essential that the technical know-how and the architecture is fully available with these services for ensuring provision of lifetime support for the software which may or may not be forthcoming from the trade."

Kalam, a former head of India?s defense research and development organization and architect of the guided missile program, has been a supporter of open-source software. Under the Indian constitution, the president is also the supreme commander of the armed forces--army, navy and air force.

Linux, an open-source operating system, has been winning support from government leaders and local authorities in some countries. Recently the city of Bergen, Norway, decided to replace Windows and Unix with Linux operating systems, citing costs and reliability as reasons. Another European city, Munich, has decided to continue using Linux at the end of a yearlong trial.

The thrust of Kalam's speech was that the nation should achieve self-reliance in software needed for critical weapon system development. Past restrictions on so-called dual-purpose hardware and software imports from the United States have led to local development of systems. Technology embargoes were imposed following the testing of nuclear devices by India, under Kalam?s leadership, in 1998.

Kalam, a former scientist, also pointed out the usefulness of newer technology in defense training, mentioning that recently he used voice over Internet protocol to connect to scientists at the Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh. He had another such session with Indian and American space experts attending the Indo-U.S. space congress at Bangalore last month.

Dumb Movee

Mr. President may have forgotten that it was Bill Gates who donated about a billion dollar to irradiate diseases like malaria/polio in India, and to fight against AIDS. Mr. President also forgets that Microsoft hires lots of Indians in their offices world wide, and also they have invested millions of dollar in their subsidiary in India. May be Bill Gates and Microsoft should stop giving and investing money in India.

Scientifically, Economically and Militarily Unsure Strategies

Why should a nation with a population of almost one billion people (and others in diasporas around the world, including the Caribbean) some of whom are very poor - find itself depending on free and open-source software when the strategies should be on incentives for innovation, development and marketing of products and services that will of social and economic benefit to the country. Also, what security do citizens of a country have when enemy forces are knowledgeable as to the workings and usage of a country's software applications and will exploit unknown vulnerabilities at the opportune time.

No not a dumb move

Bill Gates has donated billions only after making much more. Remember his primary intention is business and not social service, otherwise he wouldn't have been world's richest man. Besides this is no reason to compromise our national security.

Also Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is not a dumbo for any senseless suggestion. He is the brain behind our missile program and was in charge of DRDO. How could be better than him to comment on security issues, and this suggestion has come from his concern about our self reliance.

I think India is very fortunate to have him as president.

[chrisaris]

Dumb Comment by Raheja

This 'dumb' comment sounds just like one of those overzealous materialistic jack***es with no focus or depth in their comments but just money the primary focus. I completely agree with the indian president's views in that a country should develop its own software/systems and be self reliant on its own in-house developed processes. And not to sound in-considerate i also praise and laud the philantrophic efforts done by Gates and his likes in helping nations and people in need. May God Bless him. I dont think Gates would have given the money with any intention of gaining popularity for his company/software. Hope you get the point!!!